A rather strange beastie I discovered last night
- Pat Thielen
- Posts: 372
- Joined: Sun May 08, 2016 5:02 am
- Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
A rather strange beastie I discovered last night
This creature is from a sample of pond scum I took last week from the shoreline of a small lake in Eagan, Minnesota. I apologize for not getting a clearer image; he was constantly moving and it was rather difficult to keep up. I think he may have had a pair of "eyes" on his head, but I'm not completely sure of that (not visible in this photo of course). This photo was taken at 200x magnification using bright field lighting. He was found at the top of the sample jar (a one-quart mason jar if that makes any difference).
If anyone has any idea what this might be I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions. I've not ever seen one of these before. Thanks!
If anyone has any idea what this might be I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions. I've not ever seen one of these before. Thanks!
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- Plan 20 / 0.45, Bright Field illumination, Nikon d810, Photoshop CC
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Pat Thielen
Motic BA310, C & A Scientific Premiere SMZ-07, Swift Eleven-Ninety, Swift FM-31, Bausch & Lomb VM349, Olympus CHA
Nikon d810
Motic BA310, C & A Scientific Premiere SMZ-07, Swift Eleven-Ninety, Swift FM-31, Bausch & Lomb VM349, Olympus CHA
Nikon d810
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- Posts: 1002
- Joined: Fri Sep 04, 2015 11:34 am
Re: A rather strange beastie I discovered last night
It's a gastrotrich.
Re: A rather strange beastie I discovered last night
Link to a pretty good Gastrotricha Key:
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1320
... and to an unlucky Gastrotricha :
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1320
... and to an unlucky Gastrotricha :
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)
Olympus E-P2 (Micro Four Thirds Camera)
- Pat Thielen
- Posts: 372
- Joined: Sun May 08, 2016 5:02 am
- Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Re: A rather strange beastie I discovered last night
Bruce Taylor wrote:It's a gastrotrich.
Thanks! That was fast! Another rather interesting creature; it really is amazing how much life there is that we just can't see without a microscope.
Pat Thielen
Motic BA310, C & A Scientific Premiere SMZ-07, Swift Eleven-Ninety, Swift FM-31, Bausch & Lomb VM349, Olympus CHA
Nikon d810
Motic BA310, C & A Scientific Premiere SMZ-07, Swift Eleven-Ninety, Swift FM-31, Bausch & Lomb VM349, Olympus CHA
Nikon d810
- Pat Thielen
- Posts: 372
- Joined: Sun May 08, 2016 5:02 am
- Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Re: A rather strange beastie I discovered last night
75RR wrote:Link to a pretty good Gastrotricha Key:
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1320
... and to an unlucky Gastrotricha :
Unlucky to be sure! Great video!
Pat Thielen
Motic BA310, C & A Scientific Premiere SMZ-07, Swift Eleven-Ninety, Swift FM-31, Bausch & Lomb VM349, Olympus CHA
Nikon d810
Motic BA310, C & A Scientific Premiere SMZ-07, Swift Eleven-Ninety, Swift FM-31, Bausch & Lomb VM349, Olympus CHA
Nikon d810
Re: A rather strange beastie I discovered last night
Who knew Dr. Seuss drew from life?
Re: A rather strange beastie I discovered last night
Beautiful sheep-dog frolicking in the parking lot, err..I mean wonderful Gastrotich image capture, Pat. I've encountered perhaps three or four types of Gastrotrichs in my freshwater microscopy..it's good to see your shared encounter with one.
charlie guevara
charlie guevara
- Pat Thielen
- Posts: 372
- Joined: Sun May 08, 2016 5:02 am
- Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Re: A rather strange beastie I discovered last night
Crusty wrote:Who knew Dr. Seuss drew from life?
No kidding! I didn't even think of that!
Pat Thielen
Motic BA310, C & A Scientific Premiere SMZ-07, Swift Eleven-Ninety, Swift FM-31, Bausch & Lomb VM349, Olympus CHA
Nikon d810
Motic BA310, C & A Scientific Premiere SMZ-07, Swift Eleven-Ninety, Swift FM-31, Bausch & Lomb VM349, Olympus CHA
Nikon d810
- Pat Thielen
- Posts: 372
- Joined: Sun May 08, 2016 5:02 am
- Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Re: A rather strange beastie I discovered last night
charlie g wrote:Beautiful sheep-dog frolicking in the parking lot, err..I mean wonderful Gastrotich image capture, Pat. I've encountered perhaps three or four types of Gastrotrichs in my freshwater microscopy..it's good to see your shared encounter with one.
charlie guevara
Thanks Charlie -- I do wish I was able to get a much cleaner image of the little guy, though. They really don't seem to like their picture being taken. And they are very busy.
Pat Thielen
Motic BA310, C & A Scientific Premiere SMZ-07, Swift Eleven-Ninety, Swift FM-31, Bausch & Lomb VM349, Olympus CHA
Nikon d810
Motic BA310, C & A Scientific Premiere SMZ-07, Swift Eleven-Ninety, Swift FM-31, Bausch & Lomb VM349, Olympus CHA
Nikon d810
Re: A rather strange beastie I discovered last night
1.5% methylcellulose is a very low cost 'viscosity tool' exactly for use with observing Gastrotrichs, water fleas, ciliates, all highly active protists and meiofauna are slowed down to point where you can even use your 100X oil-objective.
Try it..I have high mag images of Gastrotrichs only due use of 'viscosity tool' of 1.5%methylcellulose. Use it 50/50 by volume with your water sample. again, thanks for your microscopy, Pat. charlie guevara
Try it..I have high mag images of Gastrotrichs only due use of 'viscosity tool' of 1.5%methylcellulose. Use it 50/50 by volume with your water sample. again, thanks for your microscopy, Pat. charlie guevara